GM of Canada has considerably revised its trio of front-wheel-drive minivans for 2000, bringing in mechanical upgrades and shuffling the equipment packages.The most obvious change is the end of 3-door versions of any of the vans, which leaves only 4-door models in regular- and extended-wheelbase from Chevrolet and Pontiac and extended-wheelbase only from Oldsmobile.
After that, the big news is that Pontiac's version of the minivan will now be called the Montana instead of the Trans Sport, mirroring a move made in the U.S. about a year ago, and the increased availability of in-vehicle video systems.
Those video-fied new models include the Chevrolet Warner Brothers Edition and the Pontiac MontanaVision model, both of which feature integrated VCR players and TV monitors.
There are some interesting changes across the board for all three minivans, starting with upgrades to the 3.4-litre V-6 that powers every one of them. For 2000, the engine delivers 185 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 210 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm and is attached to a 4-speed automatic transaxle.
Other alterations of note include an engine oil life indicator, better traction control and anti-lock brake operation because of an electrical overhaul, child seat top tether anchors in the two rear rows, improved reading lamps in the second row of seats, better head restraint heights (for whiplash protection), retained accessory power (which lets you operate the windows after the vehicle's turned off), and the addition of a new exterior color -- Smokey Carmel Metallic.